Decision Process to Identify Lessons for Transition to a Distributed (or Blended) Learning Instructional Format

Abstract : The U.S. Army Infantry School, Office of the G-3, asked the Army Research Institute to evaluate the course content of 51 programs of instruction (n=2,065 lessons) for potential transition to a distributed learning instructional format. Using a mixed-method coding and analysis approach, the sample of POIs were categorized, coded, statistically analyzed, and a decision-process was developed to classify lessons into fully transitionable, partially transitionable or not transitionable groups. The thematic structure of course content types and the decision process may be adapted by related Army organizations seeking to evaluate their curricula for lessons that could be transitioned to a distributed learning format. Statistical analyses of the sample are provided as well as detailed appendices concerning the classification of the specific lessons in the sample.